Proposal would fine drivers whose wrecks cause traffic jams

Fine would have to be approved by General Assembly.

Fine would have to be approved by General Assembly.

January 09, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- State transportation officials are considering a "bad driver surcharge" that would fine drivers who cause accidents that lead to traffic jams. The fee is meant to reduce the number of traffic-snarling crashes on Indiana's most congested highways and roads, The Indianapolis Star reported. "If you have a driver that's causing problems, that takes use of the roads away from others," said Thomas Sharp, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. "The whole purpose is to keep traffic moving." The fine would require General Assembly approval. It is listed as a "recommended funding option" in Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' Major Moves road plan. However, Sharp said the idea needs a lot of work before it could be presented to the state legislature. "I would say it's under extremely light consideration at this point," he said. Sharp said another idea would be charging extra money for drivers with "historically bad records" to renew their license or registration. Several other states have increased fines and penalties for speeding and failing to wear a seat belt, in an effort to improve driver safety and raise money. "The common thinking is: When you increase traffic fines, you make money and hopefully have an impact on people's driving," said Melissa Savage, a policy analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. Although the bad driver surcharge is in its early stages, the idea has already caused concern. Greg Seiter, a spokesman for the AAA Hoosier Motor Club, said the state should be careful to shield good drivers from unfair penalties. "We're all in favor of making our roads safer and less congested," Seiter said. "But how do we protect the innocent driver who just happens to be sideswiped or backed into accidentally two or three times in one year?" Lawmakers also have questions about the idea. "How do you assign fault? Is that a judgment call? There are times when nobody is at fault," said Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, a Republican from Columbus.